Rodney Babcock, age 66, of Lyndon Station, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

A funeral service for Rod will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Conway-Picha Funeral Home at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 2:00 PM. Rod will be laid to rest at the Mauston City Cemetery during a private family committal service at a later date.

Rod was born on February 6, 1958, in Mauston, Wisconsin. The son of Arnold and Miriam (O'Day) Babcock. Rod grew up on a dairy farm where he found his love for driving semi-trucks, deer hunting, and animals. Shortly after high school, Rod started working at the local feed mill. Rod married the love of his life, Patricia (Patti) Hutchins. Rod eventually started working at Walkers. Shortly after his first son Steven was born in '78, starting his and Patti's family. Rod's second son, Scott, was born in '80 and in '83 his third son, Justin, was born. Rod's youngest and only daughter, Heather was born in '86 completing the family of 6. Rod's parents gifted him and Patti a little 2-acre lot next to their property where Rod and Patti started a small dairy farm. Rod started working at Lycon where he would stay for 31 years. Rod would talk about his adventures driving a cement truck for hours and tell you the same stories multiple times, continuing his love of driving. Rod would take his family and extended family to company picnics and would proudly introduce them to everyone there.

The 9-day Gun Deer Hunt in November was one of Rod's favorite activities. These hunting parties included family and friends which, if you knew Rod, friends meant everyone he met along the way. Deer hunting eventually turned into taking his own children hunting for the first time and continuing to take them throughout his life. When Rod's oldest grandchildren, Devon and Tristan were old enough to go hunting, he made sure he was there for their first time and continued to go with them every single time he could after that. On more than one occasion while hunting with them, they would get lost in the woods or end up walking for miles on end in public lands. This year Rod got to take his youngest grandchildren, Hailee and Hudson on their first deer hunt. Early on Saturday morning, Rod showed up at Hailee and Hudson's house where he and Hailee got on the four-wheeler that she was driving and went down to their deer stand. Rod took time to calm Hailee down because she was scared. Once in the stand, they didn't see any deer but took turns napping (one of Rod's favorite activities!) On Sunday, Rod took Hudson to their deer stand. They didn't see any deer either, but Hudson did talk grandpa's ear off. Rod always made sure everyone was warm and well fed (lots of candy and hot chocolate) throughout the 9 days of hunting.

Rod enjoyed going to Lyndon Station, having drinks with friends and family, Friday night fish fry, playing in Pool and Horseshoe leagues. Rod also enjoyed making sure the horses had hay, and his grand dogs always got out to play ball. If Rod wasn't working or helping family and friends out, he could be found sitting in his favorite chair watching tv or some might call it napping. Rod volunteered for the Lyndon Station Fire Department and completed his Fire Science courses. Rod was a proud father and grandpa and wanted nothing more than to take care of his family and make sure that they had everything they needed. Rod would spend all of his free time helping his family and friends with anything that he possibly could. The memories Rod made, the laughs, love and kindness he showed will be something that will not be forgotten by anyone who knew him.

Rod is survived by his children, Steven (Cory), Scott (Wendy), Justin (Savanna) and Heather Babcock. He is further survived by his brothers Harold (Amy) and Tony (Colette) Babcock, his sisters Gladys (John) Golden, Jeanette (Dan) Boehm and Rosemary (Ron) Bobeck, and his grandchildren; Devon, Tristan, Jace, Quintin, Hailee and Hudson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Rod is preceded in death by his parents and a brother and a sister and grandson Brett.

In lieu of flowers and plants, please donate to your local animal shelter in Rod's name.